Unlock the Power of Effective Goal Setting: Be Specific, Reachable, and Realistic!

As promised, I’m here to guide you on the journey of setting goals the right way. Because trust me, there is a right way to do it!

Let’s start by examining the goals you often hear or make for yourself: “I want more money,” “I want a better job,” “I want a nice partner.” While these are goals in their own right, do they truly ignite the fire within you? And if you believe in a higher power granting your wishes, would they fully understand what you mean by “I want more money”?

Allow me to illustrate the power of specificity. Imagine if you were to ask me for more money in your life, and I handed you one euro. Technically, your wish for more money has been granted, and you’ve reached your goal. However, it’s crucial to delve deeper and be more precise when setting your goals.

Let’s explore a few examples that highlight the effectiveness of specificity. Back when I worked as a fitness instructor, our team decided to set a new goal for ourselves: attracting more new members to the sports school. We wrote this goal on a whiteboard with great motivation. Did our efforts yield results? When the sales manager stopped by after a few weeks, he looked at the whiteboard and called us in. He challenged us to specify the target numbers we wanted to reach each month. From June to December, we set clear monthly targets for the number of new members we aimed to enroll. Something extraordinary happened. We not only started reaching our goals but even exceeded them on occasion. By being specific about our targets, we had unleashed a powerful force within ourselves.

Here’s another eye-opening example. When I was younger, I wrote down incredibly specific details about the kind of girlfriend I was looking for: the color of her eyes, her hair, her characteristics, and more. I had a peculiar belief that placing my goals under my pillow would somehow help manifest them. Years later, while clearing out the bed at my parents’ house (yes, I was that young), I stumbled upon that note. To my astonishment, I realized that my then-wife perfectly matched the description I had penned down all those years ago. This is not about magic or the universe bending to our desires. Rather, writing down specific goals enhances our ability to recognize people, places, and opportunities that align with our requirements. The more specific, the better. If you’re interested in learning more about the science behind goal retention, check out my article on the “Biology of Writing.”

Being specific is a game-changer. But it’s not the only factor to consider. It’s essential to set goals that are both reachable and slightly outside your comfort zone. If you’re a healthy individual, would you be thrilled if your goal was merely to wake up every morning? Ambitious goals, on the other hand, need to be realistic. As much as I would love to be an NBA basketball player, my height of 1.73 meters makes it highly unlikely. It’s important to recognize when a goal is unattainable from the start to avoid wasting your energy and focus.

Lastly, let’s talk about being realistic with timeframes and resources. Yes, you can become a millionaire or find a terrific life partner, but why rush it within five days? Why not allow yourself a year or a couple of years, depending on what is realistically achievable? Let’s revisit the sports school example. During holiday months, we set lower goals for attracting new members compared to the period preceding the holidays. After all, during those holiday months, everyone’s mind is on having fun at the beach, not on fitness and sports goals while prior it’s the other way around.

Do you need assistance in writing down your goals? Let me know, we will figure out a way